New Backing for Obama As Party Seeks Unity
From The Wall Street Journal:
Slowly but steadily, a string of Democratic Party figures is taking Barack Obama's side in the presidential nominating race and raising the pressure on Hillary Clinton to give up.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota is expected to endorse Sen. Obama Monday, according to a Democrat familiar with her plans. Meanwhile, North Carolina's seven Democratic House members are poised to endorse Sen. Obama as a group -- just one has so far -- before that state's May 6 primary, several Democrats say.
Helping to drive the endorsements is a fear that the Obama-Clinton contest has grown toxic and threatens the Democratic Party's chances against Republican John McCain in the fall.
In earlier eras, the standoff between the two candidates might have been resolved by party elders acting behind the scenes. But no Democrat today has the power to knock heads and resolve the mess.
The expected move by Minnesota's Sen. Klobuchar follows Friday's endorsement of Sen. Obama by Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, which holds its primary April 22.
Both senators had planned to remain neutral, according to party officials, but decided to weigh in as the Democrats' campaign became more negative and Sen. McCain was free to exploit the confusion looking to the November election.
What makes such endorsements significant is that they're from superdelegates.
Even raising the prospect of a convention fight could backfire for Sen. Clinton by antagonizing the superdelegates she needs. Many superdelegates are on the ballot themselves this year, and the last thing they want is a chaotic convention that plays into the hands of Republicans.
Slowly but steadily, a string of Democratic Party figures is taking Barack Obama's side in the presidential nominating race and raising the pressure on Hillary Clinton to give up.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota is expected to endorse Sen. Obama Monday, according to a Democrat familiar with her plans. Meanwhile, North Carolina's seven Democratic House members are poised to endorse Sen. Obama as a group -- just one has so far -- before that state's May 6 primary, several Democrats say.
Helping to drive the endorsements is a fear that the Obama-Clinton contest has grown toxic and threatens the Democratic Party's chances against Republican John McCain in the fall.
In earlier eras, the standoff between the two candidates might have been resolved by party elders acting behind the scenes. But no Democrat today has the power to knock heads and resolve the mess.
The expected move by Minnesota's Sen. Klobuchar follows Friday's endorsement of Sen. Obama by Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, which holds its primary April 22.
Both senators had planned to remain neutral, according to party officials, but decided to weigh in as the Democrats' campaign became more negative and Sen. McCain was free to exploit the confusion looking to the November election.
What makes such endorsements significant is that they're from superdelegates.
Even raising the prospect of a convention fight could backfire for Sen. Clinton by antagonizing the superdelegates she needs. Many superdelegates are on the ballot themselves this year, and the last thing they want is a chaotic convention that plays into the hands of Republicans.
posted by Sid Cottingham | 6:16 AM
2 Comments:
I notice Obama leans towards being African American, when technically he is bi-racial. Why does he not declare this? He seems to have ignored the 'white' side of his heritage to appeal to the African American voter. Before his 'endorsement' by Oprah I never thought about his 'color'. He was a good speaker, educated, and overall presented leadership quality. Once Oprah made the endorsement it became forefront that he is African American. Yes, he is - partly, but he is a bi-racial human being - period! Having friends that are bi-racial this is a 'slap in the face' side to them.
I notice Obama leans towards being African American, when technically he is bi-racial. Why does he not declare this? He seems to have ignored the 'white' side of his heritage to appeal to the African American voter. Before his 'endorsement' by Oprah I never thought about his 'color'. He was a good speaker, educated, and overall presented leadership quality. Once Oprah made the endorsement it became forefront that he is African American. Yes, he is - partly, but he is a bi-racial human being - period! Having friends that are bi-racial this is a 'slap in the face' side to them.
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